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What is Rotation Model Teaching?
In a rotational setting, the same Bible story or theme is taught for
several weeks. Each week, learners rotate to a different station. The
story remains the same, but children encounter it in different ways in
each station. Repetition is an important part of the rotation approach.
The more different ways children explore a story or concept, the more it
is reinforced in their memories. The variety of experiences keeps
interest high throughout the unit. Teachers teach the same lesson, with
age-level adjustments, for the length of the rotation.
Rotational learning is exciting for students and teachers alike, as
teachers teach to their strengths and students experience Bible stories
in ways they learn best. Rotational learning is grounded in the work of
Howard Gardner in Multiple Intelligences Theory. Rotational learning is
active learning, emphasizing each of the first seven intelligences that
Gardner identified. Rotational learning is an extremely flexible model
that adapts well to many settings.
What is the history of Rotation Model Teaching?
In 1990, Reverend Neil MacQueen and Melissa Armstrong-Hansche, staff
members at the Barrington Presbyterian Church in Barrington, Illinois,
created what became known as the Workshop Rotation Model® for Sunday
school. Other Christian educators in the area soon became involved in
using and further developing this model. The model soon spread
beyond the Chicago area. Churches across the country, representing a
wide number of denominations, now use the Workshop Rotation Model®.
What is "Multiple Intelligences?"
For much of the twentieth century, psychologists believed that
intelligence could be objectively measured and expressed by a single
number, or "IQ" score. In 1983, Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner
challenged this idea in the book Frames of Mind. Gardner argued that an
IQ score defined human intelligence too narrowly. He proposed the
existence of at least seven basic intelligences. He called this
"Multiple Intelligences Theory."
In working with Multiple Intelligences Theory, it is helpful to
remember several key points.
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Each person is a unique creation. We
each possess all the intelligences, but these intelligences work
together differently in each person. Most people have some
intelligences that are highly developed, some that are fairly
developed, and some that are underdeveloped.
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Each intelligence can be developed to
an acceptable level of competency in most people.
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Intelligences are integrated into
patterns. They rarely stand alone.
- There are many ways to experience and express each intelligence.
Research continues on Multiple Intelligences Theory. Gardner has
recently added an eighth intelligence, naturalist, and discussed the
possibility of a ninth, spiritual. First UMC uses the first
seven intelligences that Gardener identified.
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